Thomas Tusser was an English poet and farmer. “Christmas Cheer” is his sixteenth-century version of a wonderful Christmas feast.
CHRISTMAS CHEER
Good husband and huswife, now chiefly be glad,
Things handsome to have, as they ought to be had.
They both do provide, against Christmas do come,
To welcome their neighbors, good cheer to have some.
Good bread and good drink, a good fire in the hall,
Brawn, pudding, and souse, and good mustard withal.
Beef, mutton, and pork, and good pies of the best,
Pig, veal, goose, and capon, and turkey well drest,
Cheese, apples and nuts, and good carols to hear,
As then in the country is counted good cheer.
What cost to good husband, is any of this?
Good household provision only it is:
Of other the like, I do leave out a many,
That costeth the husband never a penny.
Let our prayers be that all throughout the world will enjoy the blessing of a full stomach on this special day.
For all to have a full stomach on this or any other day would be the greatest gift of all. Even in this Land O'Plenty, no doubt millions lined up in shelters and soup kitchens for a taste of turkey and dressing. The 900 billion spent on the unfinished 9-year war (Good Morning, Vietnam) would have filled many stomachs and the stockings of countless children. But let's not go there today but let us hope better days for all are coming.
ReplyDeleteAfter a marathon cooking weekend, it was lovely to sit quietly and read this Christmas post. A different poem, but guess it has the British twist.
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